Letter: Mattawan Middle School students tackle deforestation, water pollution

The following letters to the editor at the Kalamazoo Gazette are from Mattawan Middle School students.

Madison Duell, Mattawan

We’re running out of trees. We need to stop this before it’s too late. Deforestation is the clearing of trees; transforming a forest into cleared land. We need to put an end to this major problem as soon as possible because trees clean the air, provide oxygen for humans to live and put some color into the world with their leaves, which mark the seasons for us.

We should be concerned about this problem because of the many things that trees provide for us, such as, places for animals to live, cleaner air, an visual beauty. If we were to ever run out of them, it would most definitely cause many other problems. People are contributing to the issue by cutting down the trees for different purposes and by extending the uses of bio-fuels (which can lead to global warming). Half of the world’s tropical forests have been cleared or degraded. So, can we do to stop this problem? Simply do things like recycle, print paper on both sides or use your resources and instead of printing a paper, share it. All these little things can help out this issue tremendously.

Tanner Knapp, Mattawan

Imagine. It’s a hot day, so you decide to get a glass of ice cold water. Hours later, you start to feel hot and your stomach’s upset. It starts to get worse and worse, and the doctor tells you that you’re ill due to the toxic water you drank. That’s all because of water pollution. We need to stop polluting our water because it’s killing animals, hurting the environment, and it’s reducing the amount of fresh water we have.

We should be concerned because we always swim in the Great Lakes, and the water has E coli. in it, which can make us sick. Polluted water is hurting the environment and all the animals in it. It's degrading natural communities. We humans are the problem. We’re too lazy to walk to the nearest trash can, so we carelessly throw our trash in the Great Lakes. We need to think about the impact we have on Earth, and we need to stop being so selfish.

Some ways we can help are by recycling and properly disposing of waste. Another solution is having all the beaches blocked off until we agree to clean them up. We can do this.

Skye Bragagnini, Mattawan

Every year, thousands of pounds of waste and chemicals are making their way to the Great Lakes. People dump chemicals, such as mercury, and waste in the lakes, thinking it will just dissolve. When really the opposite happens, it has long-lasting effects, such as the pollution of the water and food sources. The chemicals harm the fish, which damages our food rations, it can also harm people. The dumping of waste can directly affect adults and children. Things like medical waste and illegal drugs, and so many more harmful things, are becoming an issue. The Great Lakes is 20 percent of the world's fresh water supply, wouldn’t you protect it too?

Today, people are donating to countless organizations to help clean up and stop pollution. I did a small survey with my friends, and family, and over half of them didn’t even know that the Great Lakes are being damaged. I think the best thing to do right now is help people understand the damage being done, and to get the word out there. Once people actually know, then what excuses will we have? I want to just help get the fact known, people deserve to know what they’re eating, and drinking, then, we’re one step closer to actually making a difference.

Carson Habitz, Kalamazoo

Has your water ever tasted funny?This could be because of the many storage tanks across Kalamazoo that are leaking and contaminating our drinking water. When storage tanks underground leak into groundwater, the water then travels to our sinks therefore contaminating our drinking water.

You should be concerned because even if it doesn't happen near you it will travel along and sooner or later it will end up at your faucet. Other people have tried making wellhead protection capture zones. They also made storm water quality management. My plan is to just get rid of all underground storage tanks. So concluding this letter I would like to say that this problem needs to be stopped as soon as possible.

Andy Davison, Mattawan

Crash! A tree just fell down, another thing that is essential to all life. People are cutting down trees for wood to make houses, instead of using other materials, we use wood. Trees are just as important as water, because all life depends on water and oxygen, and trees make oxygen.

Humans are making the problem worse because they cut down trees simply because you can get $800- $1,600 for a tree. People also tear down trees for fields so farmers can farm and make more money. Deforestation kills 100 different species each day. I know that a effective solution is that if anyone cuts down a tree they need to plant a tree or donate a amount of money to a organization that helps plant trees. Nature does not have a voice that is why I am speaking for the trees, they need our help.